How do you balance your IBD with life’s errands and chores?

We’ve heard from a lot of our community members that housework, chores, and the day-to-day errands that come with life can be greatly impacted by their IBD. Fatigue can make it impossible to get anything done, flares can take away your free time, and the emotional impact of IBD can make you feel bad about all of it.

For those of you living with IBD, what tips do you have for balancing your health and the daily tasks of life? What advice do you have for those who are struggling with guilt because they can’t get it all done? Or how have you balanced the workload with friends and family?

It’s hard! It can be so easy to feel guilty but you have to tell yourself and truly believe that you are doing the best you can! I have to explain to my hubby from time to time that it just isn’t happening and I really need his help. He understands, because he has gotten used to my signs. He can tell now when I literally have no energy left. Honestly, sometimes standing for 20 mins to wash dishes just kills my back, so I will just do a couple dishes here and there throughout the day. I spend most days at home though. If I’m having a good day, I’ll try to get as much done as possible on that day, because who knows when I’ll feel like that again. If it’s a low energy day, and it usually is, I will just take it easy and only do what I can, when I can, spread throughout the day. Expending too much energy on low days just makes things worse for yourself in my opinion. That has been my experience and it’s not worth it. I feel guilty too because I want to get my stuff done, but I’ve learned that we just can’t feel that way guys. We are doing the best we can with the hand we were dealt. Truthfully!

Thank you so much for sharing, Gillendor! It sounds like you have a way to get things done without wearing yourself out too much – which is pretty difficult to do! Don’t feel guilty, you’re doing so great from what you’ve said!!

I do what I can and let the rest go. Luckily I don’t have a family or pets to care for. I get tempted to do errands, housework etc with time off but if I feel crummy I let it go. This takes a while to be okay with

I love online ordering for groceries and other items. I also will use some extra cash that I would use on movie rentals or coffees on saving for a housekeeper. Especially around the holidays. I don’t try and do it all because I will only get sick and ruin my holiday fun.

I am very OCD to begin with but I have quickly learned that the chores around the house will only get done when I have enough energy to get them done. I pay my bills online, thank God for that convenience and most of the time I feel guilty for not being a neat freak like I used to be but I just can’t do what I used to be able to do. What used to take me a day to do now may take a week. It’s very stressful and makes my anxiety go through the roof !

Some days, like today, I don’t even have the energy to delegate chores. I moved yesterdays load of laundry from the washer to the dryer and I was DONE.

I’m taking it easy because tomorrow I’ve to take one son to school and the other son & I both have Dr appointments. So Ive a lot of driving to do. As a rule, if I have errands to run before 2pm I don’t eat till I get home.

This is a great question! And I love everyone’s feedback/suggestions! 🙂

I am a huge fan of setting a timer when doing chores so when the time is up, my chore is done. This accomplishes a few things:

1. I don’t spend endless hours on the same chore = more free time!
2. It causes me to be more efficient in my time.
3. I do not get worn out easily.
4. It makes it more “fun” since it is like a game of how much can I get done before the timer goes off?

Chores, housework and errands were impossible for me to complete whenever I was flaring. I literally was lucky if I had the energy to shower. In those moments, it’s just so important to ask for help and verbalize to those closest to you that you need their help.

On days that I can function, I love to make lists so I can prioritize and not get overwhelmed. Organization is key, and meal planning is so so helpful.

I need to try online grocery shopping and delivering groceries. That sounds so amazing and especially helpful if you’re having a bad day and have an empty fridge.